"Lord Heavenly Sword, stay here for now. Neither of us should show ourselves at present," Yi Anle suggested. "Storms are gathering in the Miao Frontier, and experts of every stripe keep emerging. We can do more from the shadows."
Yi Anle was a Great Grandmaster, and so was Zhang A-Niu. Neither was an ordinary Great Grandmaster, either: both were prodigies who had triumphed over countless talents to become the Top-Scoring Graduate. The foremost immortal among three thousand-the weight of that distinction spoke for itself.
It was only that they were still young. In a few more decades, they would be the next generation's Peacock Wisdom King, Unjust Way Dao Lord, and Chosen One Daughter of Heaven.
Even now, they could already shoulder great responsibilities. Thus, Emperor Yongchang valued one and had promised him a splendid future, while the Heavenly Queen valued the other and had sent him to put out fires in Jiangzhou and then Miao Prefecture.
Zhang A-Niu considered this for a moment, then nodded. "The Heavenly Queen sent me to deal with Yuwen Shuo and purge the Miao Frontier's officialdom. What instructions did His Majesty give you?"
"The Miao Frontier must not descend into chaos, at least not among the common people. His Majesty cares most about popular support and public order. As for the Miao Frontier's officials, His Majesty wouldn't mind replacing every last one. The Ministry of Personnel has no shortage of people seeking provincial appointments," Yi Anle said calmly.
He preferred using newcomers, too. After all, a new prefect meant a new set of officials.
Though Emperor Yongchang's current arrangement for him was to succeed the Dingyuan Marquis, spend two transitional years in the Miao Frontier's military, then become a civilian official and serve as prefect.
First rise through the Military Ranks, then advance through